Things To Consider Before Adopting A Pet.

Do you really, really want a dog? Do you want to wake up early on a cozy Sunday morning, and take him out in the rain? After all, he needs his exercise. Are you ready to spend as much time as you can with him? Are you prepared for the lifestyle impact, the financial impact, and grooming considerations? Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick dog? Whether it’s a puppy, adult, or senior dog you’re considering adopting, the newness soon wears off, and then you’re left with a loving companion for, hopefully, many years to come. Did you know that the overwhelming majority of dogs adopted from shelters aren’t puppies. In fact, most are 2-3 years old, and up. I am going to concentrate primarily on adult to older dogs, and their particular needs. Anywhere you go, you’ll find lots of shelter dogs in need of a good home. There are other benefits to adopting from a shelter. With a shelter adoption, you’re saving more than one life — you’re making room for another dog, or allowing another dog to be kept at a shelter for a longer period of time, giving them a better chance of being adopted, too. Another rewarding aspect of shelter adoption is the special bond many owners develop with their rescued dog. Opening up your heart and home to an “orphan” usually results in an extremely strong relationship. That can mean a loyal,affectionate, and attentive dog for life. Why do you want a dog? That is the first question I ask people when they come to me and ask me about adopting from a shelter. In deciding what type of dog you should get, consider what you’re looking for in your future pet. Is he going to be a fun playmate for the children, or is his main job going to be to accompany an older person on quiet walks? Do you want him to go jogging with you, or is he going to be guarding the house? Loving him, and living with him should be rewarding for you and your newly adopted dog. The next question I ask is what kind of dog do you want? You can definitely still consider particular breeds of dogs when you’re thinking of adopting from a shelter. Many shelter dogs are not purebred, but mutts. But the shelter workers can take very educated guesses at their lineage. Let’s say you’ve always wanted a Lab. It’s a good bet you’ll find an adorable Lab-Rottie cross who’ll display the physical and temperamental characteristics of both breeds. Or you might be looking for a “working” dog, but not in the market for a “hound” dog. The biggest trick is to be filled to the brim with knowledge before you hit the shelters — and before you fall in love with a gorgeous sweetie who just isn’t right for you. I also ask if it is the right time of your life to get a dog. For a dog waiting for his “forever” home, it’s always a good time to be adopted. But don’t let him down by bringing him home, and then deciding that it’s simply not the right time for you. Dogs take lots of care and attention — and that means time — especially when they first come home. Is this the right time in your life to take on this huge commitment? Does your lifestyle allow for the flexibility it takes to acclimate your new dog into your life? Are your current commitments overwhelming, or very manageable? Most importantly, are you financially ready to commit to care for a dog? Dogs require a lot of commitment. They need vet checks, grooming, toys, beds, crate, and a good dry food that will fullfill the nutritional requirements for your dog. Table food is a no-no. A little treat from the table really isn't a good idea, but we all do it. Just don't make it a habit. I feed brown rice, BilJac dry kibble, raw green beans, no salt, and grated cheddar cheese. Vegetables are great for a dog...a lot of raw veggies may cause a little gas, too. Just a warning. Do you live in a house or apartment? The city, the suburbs, or somewhere rural? Let me be the first to dispel the myth that you can’t raise a large dog in an apartment. It’s nonsense. It doesn’t really matter how big or small your apartment (or even your house) is — what matters is that you give your new dog the daily exercise he requires to stay healthy and happy. Almost every book on dog breeds will give an indication of exercise requirements. As long as you hit the pavement and the park enough, your big dog will likely be happy lounging around your home. In fact, many small breeds (for example, Jack Russell Terriers) require more activity than large breeds. As long as you take care of his exercise needs, the size of your home really doesn’t matter — whether you’re a city, suburb, or country-dweller. Of course, an off-leash park in a city is always great no matter where you reside. Areas designated for off-leash dogs give your dog the chance to romp around as much as he likes, play with other dogs, and fetch toys like Frisbees, Kongs, and tennis balls. Of course, these parks are only for trained, socialized, friendly dogs. Additionally, dogs don’t need a yard to thrive. In fact, they may soon get bored hanging out in the backyard. Yards smell the same every day and there aren’t any new and stimulating experiences. It’s much more fun and interesting to dogs to go out
for walks (especially if you change your routes), or to dog parks, with you. This way they’ll meet other people and dogs, and be excited by new environments. Consider whether you want a male or female dog. Males tend to be more dominant and self-confident, whereas females may be more affectionate and home-loving. But, of course, these are very broad generalizations; every dog is different. Visit as many shelters as possible to find that right dog. There is a dog out there for everyone that wants to adopt. It just takes time to find him or her. Adoption is different with every shelter. When you find that right dog, you will have to fill out paper-work and answer questions. This is just to ensure that the dog will be going to a good home and not back into a horrible situation that they just came out of. Now, it’s very easy to fall in love at first sight, but you should spend time with a dog before adopting him. Look for a dog who’s happy and friendly, and avoid aggressive dogs. Many shelter dogs are energetic because they’ve been confined. If he seems “full of beans,” it’s no reason to rule him out. If you find one you think is meant for you, you’ll set the “application to adopt” process in motion.
This involves some paperwork, including the most important document: the Adoption Questionnaire. This includes a wide range of questions, such as:
• What are your reasons for adopting?
• How many members live in your household?
• How much time do you spend away from your home daily?